January 31, 2024
Provided Image/Disney
'Abbott Elementary' returns for a third season Wednesday, Feb. 7. Here's everything you need to know.
It's back to school for fans of the ABC sitcom "Abbott Elementary" next week.
The series created by and starring West Philadelphia-native Quinta Brunson, opens Season 3 on Feb. 7 with an hour-long premiere episode. The trailer the network released Wednesday gives a glimpse at what the staff of the titular Philly public school have been up to since viewers last saw them in the spring, and it's clear that changes have been afoot.
To celebrate the mockumentary's return, the "Abbott Elementary" team is embarking on a "Lunch Break" promotional tour, donating meals and supplies to underserved schools around the country. The tour, which features a vehicle that looks like a giant lunch box, stops in Philadelphia on Friday. No further information has been released about where the local stop will be.
Rather than beginning the season at the start of the school year, as the show did in its first two seasons, "Abbott Elementary" picks up midyear to reflect its February premiere. The new season was delayed due to last year's Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. For this reason, the Season 3 will also be shorter than Season 2, containing just 14 episodes compared to 22.
"Our season will still be on the school calendar. Last year, we started airing in September, when school started. We're not doing that this year," Brunson told Deadline in October. "It's not like coming back to a family show where you can pop in on that family on any sitcom-y thing. It's really like, what’s going on in the school?"
The hour-long premiere will center on the school district career day planned by Brunson's Janine Teagues, the show's plucky second-grade teacher, who is anxious for it to be a success. The first episode also will show Principal Ava Coleman (Janelle James) trying out a new, more rigid approach to her role as the school's leader, following an Ivy league stint over the break, according to ABC.
"I went to Harvard this summer," Ava says in the trailer. "I've learned what it truly takes to do the job of a principal."
ABC also teased details of the second episode, which airs on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, and handles the revelation that Janine's ex, Tariq (Zack Fox), is dating the mother of one of the school's students, while teacher Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) reluctantly deals with his new status as the "cool teacher."
When we last saw the "Abbott" crew, they were on a school field trip at the Franklin Institute. The Season 2 finale marked the first time the show filmed scenes on location in Philadelphia.
During that fateful night at the museum, Janine and Gregory had a tense chat about their feelings for each other. The pair, who have pushed the boundaries between friendship and flirtation since the series began, shared a highly anticipated kiss earlier in the season. But their budding romance never progressed because Janine was dating Gregory's friend at the time.
They walked away from the Franklin Institute as just friends, with Janine hoping to focus on herself and Gregory looking for new beginnings. One of the most pressing concerns on fans' minds is how the co-workers will-they-won't-they relationship will resolve. Season 3 is sure to give their slow burn more time to either simmer or fizzle.
In the Season 3 trailer, Gregory and Janine refer to their friendship as "good" and "fine," which appears to be a polite way of saying things are awkward.
There will be some new faces this season. The "Abbott Elementary" cast has added actors Josh Segarra, Kimia Behpoornia and Benjamin Norris in recurring roles. The trio will portray "good-natured Philadelphia school district representatives who aim to bring fresh perspectives to their roles as school ambassadors," Deadline reported.
Segarra, who also has appeared in "The Other Two," "Scream VI" and "She-Hulk", plays Manny; Behpoornia ("Hacks") is Emily and Norris ("Never Have I Ever") plays Simon.
They join the series' stars Brunson, Williams, James, Lisa Ann Walter (second-grade teacher Melissa Schemmenti), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Barbara Howard), Chris Perfetti (history teacher Jacob Hill) and William Stanford Davis (custodian Mr. Johnson).
In its first two seasons, "Abbott Elementary" has featured notable cameos by actors like Ayo Edebiri, Leslie Odom Jr. and Taraji P. Henson.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Abbott Elementary’ is almost back in session and Season 3 will bring three new characters starring Josh Segarra, Kimia Behpoornia and Benjamin Norris in recurring roles https://t.co/nlBh40mx3r
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 29, 2024
At the recent Emmy Awards, "Abbott Elementary" added to its collection of honors and nominations. Brunson won outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her performance in the second season. It was Brunson's second Emmy, having previously won for writing the pilot episode of "Abbott Elementary."
On Instagram, Brunson shared a photo of congratulatory bouquet sent to the "Abbott" set by Oprah Winfrey, who Brunson portrayed in a 2022 Weird Al Yankovic biopic. The flower arrangement was so large Brunson could hide behind it.
Before the new season premieres Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 9 p.m. on ABC, catch up on Seasons 1 and 2 of "Abbott Elementary" on Hulu. Season 3's episodes will be added to Hulu the day after each is shown on broadcast TV. Watch the trailer ABC released Wednesday:
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